Exploring Stoneymollan along the John Muir Way

After a stormy day yesterday, what a beautiful day it was today for our John Muir Award Walk along the John Muir Way. Before we left we made some sustainable Christmas decorations to put on the Christmas tree at the top of the hill. The sun was out but a definite chill in the air! The first part of the route feels like walking a route taken by many people before us. It is fitting therefore that this is now part of the John Muir Way and the route continues to be enjoyed by many. You could almost hear the sounds of the cattle which must have walked this route in the past. The path follows a beautiful old beech hedge on one side and a hawthorn hedge on the other, indicating a designed landscape. The trees are covered in lichens and mosses and the gnarled branches an indication of the age of the trees and the history they have seen. We weren't the only people making the most of the beautiful day. We passed dog walkers and cyclists, all making the most of the sunshine. When we reached the viepoint, we weren't disappointed, the views across Loch Lomond were stunning! Lots of snow capped mountains in the distance reflecting in the clear blue water of the Loch. Lori and I hung our tree on an old single hawthorn and then slowly started to walk back down the hill while the rest of the team walked on to the top and to put out the rest of the feeders. We listened to the water making its way down the hill, and watched a huge flock of chaffinches eating the beech nuts on the path. The sun was already going down and finally disappeared under the hill to the west. It is a short day at this time of year, but what a great way to make the most of it!